LEARN MORE

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ for The Chef Apprentice School of the Arts

Why Choose CASA?

The Chef Apprentice School of the Arts offers you the rare opportunity to learn straight from the professionals who make a great living working in the culinary arts. We place you right in the heat of the action where you’re learning directly from highly respected chefs who, thanks to the immersive nature of this program, can teach you more in minutes than you might learn after spending months in a conventional classroom setting. CASA is all about getting you right where you need to be to learn in a proactive, hands-on manner while building the experience and connections that help you launch your career.

How does the tuition cost of CASA compare to conventional culinary schools?

Culinary school tuition can range from $30,000 to as high as $100,000. That’s a lot of money, especially when you consider students in these programs receive no real work experience, nor do they have the opportunity of connecting with the professionals who are actively working in the industry right now. Many driven, well-intentioned individuals attend expensive culinary schools under the belief that they are on their way to gaining the access and experience they need to build their futures. Instead, these schools can limit an individual’s chances at succeeding because they make it impossible for people strapped with student debt to afford those entry-level positions that might not pay well at first, but which can lead to the greatest career opportunities down the line.
Our apprenticeship/externship based program works in accord with the way the culinary world really operates, not against it. Contrary to what many people assume, advancement in the culinary arts is not based on degrees but on experience, skills and talent. Everyone starts at the bottom, even graduates from the CIA, ICC or a myriad of other programs. Getting bogged down in debt is not the smartest way to get your start.

Are there any additional fees?

At CASA, we pride ourselves on making tuition easy and all-inclusive. There are no surprise fees or additional costs. The only fees you may pay are those associated with financing your tuition. All CASA’s training materials, lessons and even your chef’s uniform are included. Even job placement assistance is included in the price of tuition.
Included in the cost of tuition, you receive:

Direct consultation and advice from your mentor

In-person training and shadowing lessons via externship

CASA course curriculum book and study materials (if applicable)

Six-piece set of Mercer knives in a cook’s case (for Chef program)

Chef’s uniform with embroidered initials

Job placement assistance (for successful graduates)

Distance Education Technology Requirements:
All CASA applicants must have internet access and Microsoft Office to be able to participate in the program.

How does culinary arts education at a community college compare to CASA?

Culinary programs at community colleges commonly cost less than conventional culinary school programs but they are still expensive, costing $20,000 – $30,000 on average, and still leading many to incur huge student loans. They also have the same problems as other conventional programs, namely, no real-world experience, no in-industry connections and little to no direct training, oversight and coaching from a successful culinary arts professional who makes their living in the industry, not outside of it.

How do private cooking lessons compare to CASA?

Obtaining private lessons directly from a seasoned chef, pastry chef or restaurateur would be a good way to receive effective training and direct guidance. Private training in the culinary arts is extremely rare and very costly. Such lessons can cost $30,000 – $50,000, and because they do not adhere to a structured curriculum or schedule, such a system of training can take years to complete. Furthermore, many of the professionals who tutor privately do so in their homes, not in the real-world environment where one stands to learn the most. With CASA’s direct, curriculum-backed, real-world approach, you get the benefits of direct training without the added cost.